Ledley King could be back in action within a month after tests on the groin injury he sustained at Newcastle revealed the problem was not as bad as the club had first feared.

King was forced off after half an hour of the 2-2 draw on Sunday and manager Harry Redknapp initially appeared pessimistic about the prospects for his club captain, who missed six months of last season because of a groin problem.

Yet the centre-back had a scan on the problem yesterday afternoon and it is understood he has suffered only a Grade One tear to the adductor muscle. If King recovers without suffering any setbacks, he could be available for the home game against Aston Villa on November 21, which follows the international break, or even for the derby at Fulham on November 6.

Spurs will be desperate for King to make a speedy recovery as both Michael Dawson (Achilles) and William Gallas (calf) are unavailable along with King, leaving Younes Kaboul and Sebastien Bassong as the club's only fit senior centre-backs.

Before the Newcastle game, King had played four consecutive Premier League matches, helping his team to victory in every one.